Argyranthemum plant named ‘OHAR01245’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Argyranthemum  plant named ‘OHAR01245’ characterized by its double inflorescence form with pink-colored ray florets and purple/yellow bi-colored disc florets, freely branching character, medium green-colored foliage and compact upright growth habit.

Latin name of the genus and species of plant claimed:Argyranthemum×hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘OHAR01245’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofArgyranthemum plant botanically known as Argyranthemum×hybrida andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘OHAR01245’.

The new Argyranthemum originated in a controlled breeding program inWinmalee, New South Wales, Australia during February 2001. Theobjectives of the breeding program were the development of Argyranthemumplants that are freely branching, have a compact upright growth habitare freely flowering and have unique flower coloration.

The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar was the Argyranthemumvariety ‘Cobeer’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,174) characterized by its fullydouble inflorescence form, pink-colored ray florets, compact growthhabit, and dark green foliage. The male (pollen) parent of the newcultivar was the Argyranthemum cultivar ‘Pink Annabel’ (not patented)characterized by its single inflorescence form, dark pink-colored rayflorets, and medium open growth habit. Seed from the above statedcross-pollination was germinated and grown to maturity. One plant fromwithin the progeny was discovered and selected by the inventor duringOctober 2001, in a controlled environment at Winmalee, New South Wales,Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings sinceOctober 2001 at Winmalee, NSW, Australia and West Chicago, Ill. hasdemonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all thecharacteristics as herein described, firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light intensity, and day length without, however, any variance ingenotype.

It was repeatedly found that the cultivar of the present invention:

-   -   1. Exhibits a double inflorescence form with pink-colored ray        florets and purple/yellow bi-colored disc florets,    -   2. Forms medium green-colored foliage,    -   3. Exhibits a freely branching character, and    -   4. Exhibits a compact upright growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female parentprimarily in inflorescence size and foliage color, and from plants ofthe male parent primarily in flower form and growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar are most similar to the cultivar ‘SummerMelody’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,763). However, in side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of ‘SummerMelody’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar have larger inflorescences than        plants of ‘Summer Melody’,    -   2. Plants of the new cultivar have larger leaves than plants of        ‘Summer Melody’, and    -   3. Plants of the new cultivar have more disc florets than plants        of ‘Summer Melody’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typicalflower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in thephotographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detaileddescription which more accurately describe the colors of the newcultivar. The plants were grown in 10 m cm pots for 10 weeks in agreenhouse at West Chicago, Ill.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habitof the new cultivar.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual flower of the newcultivar when just opening.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up view of an individual flower of the newcultivar with ray florets fully open.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is TheR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,1995 edition, except where color terms of ordinary significance areused. The color values were determined on Sep. 25, 2003. The readingswere taken between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. under natural light conditions.The plants were produced from cuttings taken from stock plants and grownin a double polycarbonate-covered greenhouse under conditions comparableto those used in commercial practice. The plants were grown in 10 cmpots for 10 weeks while utilizing a soilless growth medium. Greenhousetemperatures were maintained at approximately 65°-78° F. (18°-25° C.)during the day and approximately 50°-60° F. (10°-15° C.) during thenight. Greenhouse light levels were maintained at approximately6,000-9,000 footcandles during the day.

-   Botanical classification: Argyranthemum×hybrida cultivar    ‘OHAR01245’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female (seed) parent.—Argyranthemum cultivar ‘Cobeer’ (U.S.            Plant Pat. No. 14,174).        -   Male (pollen) parent.—Argyranthemum cultivar ‘Pink Annabel’            (not patented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal stem.        -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 7 to 10 days.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 14 to 21            days.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching.-   Plant description:    -   -   Crop time.—Approximately 8 weeks in a 10 cm pot.        -   Habit of growth.—Compact. Freely branching. One or two            pinches improves basal branching.        -   Form.—Upright, mounded.        -   Plant height.—A mature plant, 10 weeks after the planting of            a rooted cutting, commonly measures approximately 25.3 cm            from soil level to top of plant plane.        -   Plant width (area of spread).—Approximately 34.3 cm.        -   Branch description.—Quantity per plant: Primary: 14.            Texture: Glabrous. Length from soil level to base of            peduncle: Approximately 18.1 cm. Diameter: Approximately            2.6 mm. Internode length at middle of branch: Approximately            7.9 mm. Color: 144A.        -   Foliage description.—Leaves are simple and non-fragrant.            Arrangement: Alternate. Quantity per branch:            Approximately 23. Aspect: At an acute angle to the stem.            Shape: Pinnatified. Margin: Entire. Apex: Acute. Base:            Sessile, clasping. Texture: Upper and lower surfaces are            glabrous. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Length: Approximately            6.5 cm. Width: Approximately 2.3 cm. Color of mature            foliage: Upper surface: 137A with venation of 137D. Lower            surface: 137B with venation of 137D.-   Flowering description:    -   -   Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.        -   Natural flowering season.—Year round in greenhouse            environment and spring through autumn in outdoor garden.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Solitary, composite. Persistent. Shape: Round.            Aspect: Facing upward or outward. Disc and ray florets            develop acropetally on a capitulum. Fragrance: None.            Quantity of flowers and buds per branch: Approximately 3            flowers and 3 buds.        -   Size.—Diameter: Approximately 3.4 cm. Depth: Approximately            1.1 cm.        -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—Approximately 7-10 days.        -   Bud.—Shape: Round, flat. Diameter: Approximately 6 mm.            Depth: Approximately 7 mm. Color: 165B.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 112,            arranged in a several whorls. Aspect: Flat to slightly            concave. Arrangement: Very slightly overlapping. Shape:            Ligulate. Margin: Entire. Apex: Emarginate. Base: Attenuate            and fused to form tube. Texture: Glabrous and ribbed.            Florets in outermost whorl: Length: Approximately 2.2 cm.            Width: Approximately 5 mm. Color of upper surface: N74D with            some coloration of 155D at the base. Color of lower surface:            N74D. Florets in innermost whorl: Length: 8 mm. Width: 4 mm.            Color of upper surface: N74B. Color of lower surface: 75D.            Tube texture: Pubescent. Tube color: 145B.        -   Disc.—Diameter: Approximately 8 mm. Depth: Approximately 1            cm.        -   Disc florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 32.            Shape: Tubular, salverform with five lobes each having an            acute apex. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Length:            Approximately 8 mm. Diameter at apex: Approximately 3 mm.            Diameter at base: Approximately 1 mm. Color: 13A with 71A at            tips of each lobe. Calyx: Shape: tubular. Length:            Approximately 2 mm. Diameter: Approximately 1 mm. Color:            Colorless, translucent.        -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence: Approximately 8.            Arrangement: Imbricate. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base:            Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous. Length:            Approximately 7 mm. Width: Approximately 3 mm. Color of            upper surface: Closest to 145C. Color of lower surface:            Closest to 145D in center, 165B/C at edges.        -   Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Texture: Glabrous. Aspect: At an            acute angle to the stem. Length: Approximately 8.4 cm.            Diameter: Approximately 1 mm. Color: 144A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Present on disc florets            only. Stamens: 5 fused to form tube around pistil. Anther            shape: Linear. Anther length: Less than 1 mm. Anther color:            N163C. Amount of pollen: Abundant. Pollen color: 17A.            Gynoecium: Present on ray and disc florets. There is one            pistil per floret. Pistil length: 4 mm. Stigma shape: Two            parted. Stigma length: 1 mm. Stigma color: 13A. Style            length: 2 mm. Style color: 144C. Ovary color: 144C.-   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has    been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests    common to Argyranthemums has not been observed.-   Hardiness zone: ‘OHAR01245’ is hardy in zones nine (9) and above.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named ‘OHAR01245’ substantially as herein shown and described, which:
 1. Exhibits a double inflorescence form with pink-colored ray florets and purple/yellow bi-colored disc florets,
 2. Forms medium green-colored foliage,
 3. Exhibits a freely branching character, and
 4. Exhibits a compact upright growth habit. 